Mission Statement

Track the frontier of cosmic discovery—seek out and develop innovative ways to bring this frontier to the programs and activities of the American Museum of Natural History.

The office will conduct, interpret, and bring frontier astrophysics research into the educational offerings of the American Museum of Natural History. In particular, the Office of the Director will enable the Space Show, Science Bulletins, and the various educational outreach projects of the Museum's National Center for Science Literacy Education and Technology to keep abreast of the latest discoveries in astrophysics. This effort includes, but is not limited to, establishing strategic collaborations with colleagues as well as creating partnerships with academic centers, societies, institutions, and laboratories.

Honor the legacy of the Hayden Planetarium in the hearts and minds of the public and in the amateur astronomy community.

Since 1935, the Hayden Planetarium has served as the premier conduit between the frontier of cosmic discovery and the public's appreciation of it. More than one-hundred books on the universe have been authored by staff of the Hayden Planetarium in the 20th century. The institutional identity of the Hayden Planetarium has traditionally (and successfully) flowed through this and countless other high-profile public outreach activities of its staff, most of which extended well-beyond the walls of the institution.